can i use 78-79 bronco radius arms on my eb to achieve having longer arms?

[mortimersnerd]

You've most likely got a 3.5" lift, as this was the most common lift to fit 33" tires. Some folks are now fitting them stock or with lower lifts to reduce CG. I'm contemplating trying my 35's with just a 3.5" lift and some aggressive sheetmetal trimming.

 

[Monster Mike]

I thought it was a 3.5 lift also.then I installed some nicer super flex 3.5" leaf spring packs in the rear & gained a 4 inch rake!

 

[bmc69]

any input on the negative/positive effects of drop brackets? btw I have a 76 eb with ps & pb front discs. 302 C4 d20 (just in case)

Drop radius brackets are hateful if you wheel rough trails with lots of obstacles. The brackets get hung up all the time. Mine look like they were attacked by an army of rocks and are losing the battle.

I have them on my '78 Bronco (4" lift) and my '69 EB (5.5" lift). Both are 'old school' builds; nothing I've built since has dropped brackets and I will never use them again.

 

[Monster Mike]

Why would jbg want to sell me those radius arm drop brackets when they obviously aren't the best option?

its looking like i'm gonna go with the radius arm extensions. Pretty affordable & if I ever decide to go higher I'm setup for it & il get maximum flex out of my suspension

 

[Monster Mike]

I ordered up some radius arm extensions today using the heim joint. I had a good long talk with Anthony over there at stone crusher steering. He is one awesome dude!

Here is my latest question. I'm going to angle and extend the radius arms. I might even box them to make them bullet proof. I was wondering if using the arms off a bb would be ok for this project? Alot of you said they're identical & the only difference is the spring cup mounting holes are father apart. If I use the bb arms can I still use my springs already on the eb?

What, if any, complications will I encounter from going this route?

I have easy access to theses bb parts & I could start fabbing up these radius arms while I'm still wheeling. Also my stock arms will remain untouched.

 

[DirtDonk]

If you use the spring cups from the BB, then you won't even have to deal with the hole dilemma. Not that it's much of a dilemma really.
The design of the springs is identical all the way to '79 (4wd only '66 to '79 F100/F150/Bronco), only the dimensions and capacities change from the different models. So your BB spring cups would work with EB springs no problem.

Are these arms from a Quad-shocked Bronco? If so, they will have the shock mount ears (horns?) sticking out the front. This does not usually present a problem until you decide to change your steering around. But it's worth mentioning anyway.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

I think the arms on a 77-78 F150 are longer. Yeah the spring cup mounting holes are different as well.

Nope. Same length. At least on all the ones I've ever checked. Which admittedly is not all that many.

Paul

 

[Monster Mike]

Hey paul thx for the response. Yes my bronco is set up with those ears that stick out for an additional shock. I was planning on removing those ears when I put the stone crusher steering system on. I'm not using that quad shock setup anyways, just the one shock that sits on the radius arm.

 

[bmc69]

Why would jbg want to sell me those radius arm drop brackets when they obviously aren't the best option?

They do a fine job at correcting the camber geometry. They just suck on certain types/difficulties of trails. Most people do not wheel real difficult trails..and those that do wheel them with the drop brackets get 'em hung up and cuss a lot.

 

[Monster Mike]

Thx bmc69, I asked the guy who sold them to me the same question & he replied that he didn't know extensions were available for your existing radius arms. I still think I put the cart before the horse on the decision to buy those drop brackets. I know I should always come here first & bounce my ideas off you guys. Just wish the guy selling the parts knew the pros & cons of what he's selling. Again I just overly excited & pulled the trigger to fast. atleast I didn't install them! Lol

 

[Colorado75Bronc]

they correct caster, not camber